Geranium plant named ‘Pacshovi’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct zonal geranium plant with shocking pink colored flowers above medium green foliage with strong zonation.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium×hortorum (zonal geranium).

Varietal denomination: ‘Pacshovi’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium known by the varietal name ‘Pacshovi’. The new variety was discovered as a seedling in a selective breeding program in Dresden, Germany. The new variety is the result of a combination breeding of unnamed, unpatented selections from breeding group 8K-25. Plants of the new variety exhibit similar flower color of their parents, but exhibit stronger foliage zonation than their parents. The new variety was first asexually reproduced by cuttings in Dresden, Germany in 1999. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the plant; and

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a bud, flower, and leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from plants propagated in January, potted in February, and grown in a greenhouse and then outdoors in June for data collection in Dresden, Germany. Plants were 9 months old when described. The color readings were taken on a plant under natural indoor light. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

Form: Upright.

Height: About 14 cm from media surface to top of foliage; about 24 cm from media surface to top of umbels.

Strength: Does not require artificial support.

Growth: Erect, well-branched, continuous flowering.

Roots: White; adventive; 3.5 weeks to develop.

Leaves:

Arrangement.—Opposite, dark zone.

Size.—Length: 4.5-5.5 cm. Width: 7-8.5 cm.

Shape.—Overall: Reniform. Base: Closed to open. Apex: Rounded.

Margin.—Bicrenate.

Texture.—Pubescent.

Color.—Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 138A. Zonation: 137A.

Ribs and veins.—Venation: Net-like. Color: 141D.

Petioles:

Color.—141D.

Length.—5-7.5 cm.

Stem:

Color.—143C.

Overall stem length.—About 14 cm.

Internode length.—1-1.5 cm.

Lateral branch length.—About 5.5 cm.

THE BUD

Shape when closed:

Overall.—Spherical.

Individual bud.—Elliptical.

Size when closed:

Overall.—8-10 cm across cluster.

Individual bud.—1.2 cm long, 0.6-0.7 cm wide.

Color.—66A.

INFLORESCENCE

Size of umbel:

Width.—8-10 cm.

Length.—8-10 cm.

Depth.—8-10 cm.

Borne: Umbel; Flower on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle.

Flowers:

Form.—Zygomorph.

Number of flowers per umbel.—About 40.

Size.—Diameter: About 4.8-5 cm. Depth: 1.5 cm.

Petals:

Color.—Upper surface: 66A. Lower surface: 62D with dark venation, 67A. Eye: 49D on upper surface with dark venation, 67A. Shape: Overall: Round to oval. Base: Pointed. Apex: Rounded. Size: 2.8-3 cm long, 2.4-2.6 cm wide. Margin: Entire. Number per flower: About 7-8. Texture and appearance: Smooth.

Sepals:

Color.—Upper surface: 143B. Lower surface: 143B.

Shape.—Overall: Elliptical. Apex: Pointed. Base: Wider than apex.

Size.—Length: About 1.2 cm. Width: About 0.3-0.4 cm.

Petaloids:

Quantity.—0-3 per flower.

Shape.—Irregular.

Color.—66A upper surface, 62D lower surface.

Pedicel:

Length.—1.8-2 cm.

Color.—Ranges between 59A and 143C.

Peduncle:

Length.—11 cm.

Color.—143A.

Lastingness of umbel: About 3 weeks.

Natural flowering season: Blooms continuously through summer; plant lasts until frost.

Disease/pest resistance: No susceptibility to diseases or pests has been noted to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.—0.1-0.2 cm. in length.

Filaments.—Length: 0.7-0.8 cm. Color: White. Pollen: 25A; abundant.

Pistils:

Number.—One.

Length.—0.5-0.7 cm.

Stigma.—60B.

Style.—Length: 0.3 cm. Color: 140B. Ovaries: Superior, pubescent, 0.2 cm long, 140A.

Seeds: Rarely present; if present, 5 per flower, 0.4 cm long, colored 165A.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

1. Intense, shocking pink flower color.

2. Semi-double flower.

3. Tetraploid.

4. Good rooting.

5. Leaves with strong zonation. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant substantially as shown and described. 